Instagram is a great platform to use for marketing. 700 million people are active Instagram users so there is no shortage of subscribers to deliver content to. However, building a following from the ground up is not an easy task. When first starting out in the blogging world, I was desperate to make a name for myself and I felt lost on where to even begin.

After weeks of searching how to increase popularity on Instagram, I found some very useful tips. My focus was to build on one platform and spread out. Whether that is the best way to go about marketing, I’m not entirely sure, but so far it has seemed to work well for me, not to mention, it’s easier to focus my time and energy into one source first, rather than desperately trying to build across many platforms.

Maybe you have a steady following on Twitter or Facebook and that is where you are starting to build out from, and that works! I picked Instagram because I am very familiar with the platform, it’s easy to use, and there are various ways to gain popularity without doing much work.

My focus was on my content. I took the time to create fashion sets and design outfits that I loved and that I thought would gather attention. Content plays a huge part in gaining followers. If people like what you post, you’ll always be in business.

Engaging with users in your same niche is also a great tip. It’s one thing to engage with users who you like or find interesting, but if you are seeking out those who are putting out similar content, not only do you probably have a user who will appreciate your content, but also who you can learn from.

#hashtags. This might seem simple and like a no-brainer, but tagging your photos and posts can be tremendously helpful. That is how other Instagram users find your content. If you aren’t tagging pictures, you are throwing out a great (and free) way to market yourself. Find tags that are relevant to what you’re posting, and use tags that are popular.

Another excellent way to grow your following is by outsourcing someone to help manage your account. There are plenty of websites online who offer these services and for relatively cheap. Basically, they go in and ‘like’ and comment on photos and pages that are similar to your own. This has a great impact on a number of followers you gain and you’re hiring someone to do the marketing for you. Some might consider this cheating but when you’re struggling to make a name for your business or blog, it’s an excellent tool to utilize and the base of getting popularity is marketing, you’re just getting help!

Tips:

When hashtagging photos, you can see how any people are using the tag just by typing the tag out. Take advantage of this. Some of the more popular tags are #Instagram #Instagood #love and #fashion.

Engage with users who post similar content and learn from them.

Ask questions. I’ve had a few DM’s from other users in the fashion niche who have asked me about how to make sets on Polyvore and how to design the backgrounds, and the truth is, I don’t mind answering questions at all. Some might think of it as being competition, but I’m happy to help.

Have a purpose and focus behind your Instagram account. Find a posting pattern, monitor the best time to post and what type of content of yours gets the most likes.

Use your influence for good. I know that sounds stupid but positivity attracts positivity. People don’t want to get negative photos in their feed, even if it is just the caption.

I’m going to close this post with a quote from the beautiful and amazing Dove Cameron:

“The Universe bends, for those with good intentions”

I really do believe this is true. If you have a positive attitude and have a vision, you can do anything.

Love you all! Xoxo

-Lizzie

* I know this post is different from my usual but I’ve gotten a lot of questions about it and wanted to help ❤

Converse are a classic shoe. They have been around for years and worn by probably just about everyone. You can purchase them in just about any color, and are relatively cheap to buy. That being said, it’s not always easy to find an outfit to match them.

Why? Converse have somewhat of a longstanding personality of their own. You see them frequently in movies or on tv with a very casual outfit, usually jeans and t-shirt. They are casual shoes that have remained iconic for a long time. However, nowadays it is much more common to see people styling converse with dresses and skirts! Which really leaves us the question as to what doesn’t Converse go with?

Of course you can wear anything you please and especially in this time where pretty much anything goes. This is just an article to give you some ideas as to how to wear them!

Tips on how to wear with Converse:

Casual wear! Ripped jeans, jeans, casual shorts, band t-shirts etc.

White Converse are the cleanest (but get dirty the quickest) and seem to look the best with more formal attire.

I love Converse with kind of a lazy-day look, and try not to match them too well with my outfit (Teal shirt, teal Converse, or purple shirt, purple Converse).

Converse with overalls is such a cute way to fashion them as well.

Try pairing your Converse with black leggings and an oversized sweatshirt for a cute and comfy look!

Tips on how to care for your Converse:

Do NOT machine wash or dry. That ruins the material.

Use a mild soap (using a strong soap can fade the color on the shoes)

Warm water and a washcloth is the best way to clean and care for loved Converse ❤

I LOVE chokers. I think they are darling and can honestly be worn with just about anything. However, when I first noticed that chokers were coming back in style, I was a bit hesitant to jump on the train. My reasoning was that, to me, it seemed as though chokers were primarily worn by those who embraced the ‘grunge’ look.

Don’t get me wrong, I think the grunge look is amazing. I wish I could pull it off, but it just isn’t me. That being said, I LOVE to pull pieces from that style and incorporate them in ways that fit my individual style best. Chokers are one of those items.

I have since learned that chokers truly can be intertwined with nearly any style and even though they are popular with the grunge look, there are plenty of other ways to wear them as well.

Tips for styling chokers:

Chokers work best with lower necklines (v-neck, scoop-neck, sweetheart) NOT turtle-neck. Halter tops or dresses don’t work as well either since the fabric comes up high.

Most chokers look best with casual wear but depending on the type of choker, can also be worn with formal attire.

Black is a great color to wear with chokers, most chokers I’ve seen are black and tying it together with a shirt that is the same color, is a great way to create a simple and classic look.

My favorite way to wear them personally is with a tie-dye shirt and denim shorts. I am a huge fan of the late 90’s/early 00’s coming back and that is certainly a way to welcome it.

I hope you all found this helpful! If you want a visual guide to some outfit ideas for chokers, click the link below! What is your favorite way to rock this trend? Let me know in the comments! ❤

Welcome to the Her Style Says it All fashion guide! Feel free to look around and check out the archives for any fashion staple that you are curious about!

My goal for this blog is to be a fun, helpful environment for those who may have some fashion questions, and, for those who are just here for the inspiration! If there are any clothing/accessory staples that you are wondering how to fashion, let me know! I would absolutely love to help you out! And please don’t hesitate to send some love or questions in the ‘contact me’ feature.

I’m so excited to start this new adventure with all of you beautiful people as we explore new styles and ideas! Hope your day is full of cupcakes and sparkles!